Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw, former Lord Mayor of Manchester and key figure behind the creation of the renowned Royal Northern College of Music, has died aged 101.

The mathematician and politician, born in Withington, passed away on Sunday night at her nursing home in Didsbury.

Awarded the Freedom of the City of Manchester in 1984, Dame Kathleen served as a Conservative councillor for Rusholme for 26 years and was an advisor on education to Margaret Thatcher.

Despite losing her hearing at the age of eight, disability did not prevent Dame Kathleen becoming one of Britain’s most distinguished experts in mathematics and statistics, as well as a leading educationalist.

Famously she was one of the first people to produce formula for solving Rubik’s cube from a random start with an average 80 moves, at the cost of tendonitis in her thumb.

And contemporary politicians paid tribute to her civic contribution to her hometown of Manchester.

Lucy Powell, MP for Manchester Central, said: “It’s the end of an era. She was one of our great pioneering women whose contributions will rightfully earn her a place in the history of Manchester.

“She is definitely a very strong candidate for the women’s statue that Manchester City Council are considering.”

Born into the Timpson family, owners of the famous shoe company, she attended Ladybarn House School, before her parents, Charles and Mary, sent her to St Leonard’s School, St Andrews.

She then attended Somerville College at Oxford, lip-reading her way through the interview as she refused to learn sign language.

Marrying her husband Robert in 1939 the couple had two children. Florence passed away in 1972 at the age of 26 and Dame Kathleen outlived both her husband and son Charles.

Paying tribute, current Lord Mayor of Manchester Sue Cooley, said: “Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw achieved a great deal, both personally and for the city, during her remarkable lifetime.

“Her dedication to public service was something that earned her enormous respect from everyone she came into contact with, both sides of the political divide.

“She will be sadly missed by many.”

A memorial service celebrating the former Lord Mayor’s life and achievements is planned for a later date.